March 14, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have dismantled a suspected human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, rescuing seven victims and arresting four suspects in a coordinated security operation.
The breakthrough followed credible intelligence received by the police on March 13, 2026, which indicated that a vehicle transporting young persons, suspected to be victims of human trafficking, was travelling along the Ikot Ekpene–Aba Road.
Acting swiftly, a patrol team was mobilised and a stop-and-search operation mounted along the route at about 8:00 a.m. The suspected vehicle was intercepted, leading to the immediate rescue of four victims and the arrest of the suspect conveying them.
Police investigations later expanded to Itam and Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, where operatives rescued three additional victims and apprehended three more suspects linked to the trafficking network.
The operation brought the total number of rescued victims to seven, while four suspects are now in police custody.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the criminal syndicate specialises in recruiting and transporting young persons across international borders for exploitation.
Police intelligence further disclosed that one of the ring leaders had earlier fled through the waterways from Ibaka in Oron to Cameroon and Gabon with other victims before the operation.
The rescued victims were identified as Asana Wohabu, 18, and Fusina Seru, 20, both from Cotonou in the Benin Republic; Mulica Ismali, 20; Saidat Ismali, 19; and Safura Ismali, 20, all from Oyo State, Nigeria; Latif Ali, 19, from Cotonou, Benin Republic; and Malike Michel from Lome, Togo.
Those arrested in connection with the trafficking network include Udeme Jacob, 20, from Mbo Local Government Area; Effiong Ekop from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area; John Okon from Mbo Local Government Area; and Ndukwe Ogbonnaya from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Timfon John, who confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday, said investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
She reiterated the command’s commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of organised crime in the state.
The Command also assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
The members of the public were urged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to help protect vulnerable persons and strengthen community safety.
